Research centres
Maria Angeles Buil and her colleagues are involved in the researching and breeding of new melon varieties for H M Clause in Almeria at the H M Clause station in La Mojonera, Almería.
An example of the breeding activity that takes place at the station can be seen in the work being carried out to combat a new strain of powdery mildew that is attacking certain crops in Europe. Melon is one of the affected fruits, though some varieties have shown resistance. Galia, however, is not one of them, but it is important that Galia continues to be produced in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy wide European consumer demand. Work is being undertaken breeding resistant melons with non-resistant Galias.
Currently H M Clause Galias don't show a big susceptibility to Powdery Mildew. However, surveys show that new, more aggressive strains can be found and the company is taking all possible steps in preparation to have available improved resistance products.
However It’s a slow process. Such development takes at least 3 years of trialing before launching the product. Any new variety has to be trialled in various growing medias and different environments to assess suitability.
H M Clause melon seeds are developing for cultivation both protected crop in green houses "invernaderos" and open field situations. The Group has another research station, based close to Murcia, for the study and development of melons grown in open fields. In a 20Ha structure Piel de Sapo, Yellow Canary, Charentais and Galia melons are developed. The importance of trialling the plants in different regions is easily demonstrable - the soil in Murcia is completely different to that in Almería, being far less sandy and there water is less abundant also.
Moreover tests continue to be carried out in different zones when and where the season is happening.
Seed extraction
Seed is extracted manually at the station. After extraction it is dried in a special room maintained at a temperature that is not detrimental to the seed’s quality, after which the seeds are stored, in duplicate, to ensure the supply.
Under cover cultivation - Galia
A visit to a typical Galia melon cultivation in a greenhouse close to the research centre revealed a crop almost ready for harvest. The variety in question was Brisa, a late sowing variety, being grown between December and March, on a 17ha site and harvested between April and June. As the fruit is of the Galia type the cultivation is almost entirely destined for export markets, the Spanish market preferring the Piel de Sapo type. The Galias here are destined for other EU markets such as the Netherlands, the UK and Germany.
For much of the season such fruit is grown in Brazil and Central America, but between April and June can only be picked in Spain, giving the Almería cultivation a unique window of opportunity. The fruits in this type of cultivation are gathered in a single picking, and therefore, are less labour intensive. Each plant will yield 6-7 fruits.
Open field cultivation - Charentais
Close by the research station, amongst the orange groves, open field cultivation can be observed. In this case a field of Charentais melons grown by Stefan Perot, for early entry to his native French market.
In this area the plants can yield, comfortably, in the region of 25-30 tonnes per ha. Cultivation is almost organic, thanks again to the continual development of available varieties. Harvesting of this type of cultivation takes place over 2-3 weeks between 10th May and the end of June. it is therefore, more labour intensive than the under cover Galia cultivation, but there are no plans to change this. The fruit ripens in a staggered fashion, but the quality is good. lessons have been learnt since quality was sacrificed to convenience with tomatoes and peppers.
The visit was of great interest, especially as it revealed the diversity involved in the production of melons. In just one region of Spain so many different varieties of melon are bred, developed and cultivated, using a range of different methods and for a range of international markets. It also revealed the role of melon cultivation as part of the larger picture of horticultural activities in a region Spain where so much is dedicated to the sector.
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